connect for kids
April 6, 2006
The live chat at Connect for Kids came off without a hitch. What a rush! People’s questions popped up on my computer screen, I keyed in answers as quickly as possible and sent them off.
The readership was great. Folks from all over the U. S. logged on and asked great questions. I got to most of them before the hour was up. You can read the transcript for yourself.
For the second time in less than a week and in a public forum somone raised the question of divided loyalites in sibling sexual abuse situations. This is such a tough issue and one I wish I could have covered in the book. I did do a dynamite interview with a young woman whose two older step brothers abused her, but for legal reasons I could not print her story. There’s so much more that needs to be done in this area. And we can have that discussion here. I can recommend Sasian as a resource and Carolyn Coman’s Bee and Jacky as a novel that explores some of the emotional territory.
If you have any doubts about the importance of putting a public face on healing from abuse, do check out the comment at the bottom of the Black Oak post below. A mother wrote in after the event with a very moving personal story of the impact of that night.
Pictures of the California events are coming, I promise. But today is my niece’s birthday (observed) and we are going to spend the day on a photo shoot.
| Email This Post | Print This Post | 64 views
Lynn C. Tolson said,
April 27, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
Hello Carolyn, I am the author of Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor’s Story. I am awed and inspired by your work. My book is a memoir about father/daughter and sibling sexual abuse (as well as recovery from other trauma.) Of course, sexual abuse (incest) occurs within a combination of factors, so my story is also about the lack of communication in the systems that allow abuse to perpetuate for generations. My book covers emotional, psychological, and societal factors (such as patriarchy) that seem to promote a rape culture. I am the founder of the Project for TEARS: Telling Everyone About Rape & Suicide. There is a high correlation between those who have been raped & suicide attempts. I am on a mission to confront sexual violence. I am so glad to find others such as you, but so sad that we are necessary. I long for a peaceful and safe society. Love & Light, Lynn
Carolyn Lehman said,
April 27, 2006 @ 9:55 pm
Of the teens I interviewed for Strong at the Heart, all but one talked about serious suicide attempts. So, yes, I think you are onto something very significant.
I agree with you, there is a lot in our culture that allows abuse to continue, the collective invisibilization (to coin a word) of our experiences. It’s very interesting to be a part of this process of making the invisible visible. Because, of course, there are lots of us and we CAN validate each others’ experiences.
Good luck with your book. I’m sorry the abuse happened to you, but I am glad you are able to put the experience into words.
Carolyn